My uncle Alg Purchase, of Winnipeg, went to France with the University of Manitoba Batallion, and transferred to the new Royal Naval Flying Service, flying blimps on anti- submarine patrols of the British Coast. The SSZ or "Zero" blimp shown here had an aluminum and ash car, with three cockpit openings, which enable it to (theoretically) land on water, if required. Powered with a 75 hp Rolls Royce water- cooled engine, it cruised at 53 mph, and climbed at 1,200 feet per minute. It carried a machine gun- used for exploding mines- two 110- pound bombs, or one 250- pound one.

A correction from the caption below- cousin Gerry points out that his dad, Alg, was 20 years old in 1916 !

Algernon Purchase of Manitoba's University Btn.

All of 18 years, and ready for overses service!

At an inspection by King George V on an exercise

Alg is in the centre on the plank on the left

Uncle Alg Purchase on an exercise in England

This time on an inspection by King George V

The SSZ 37 had a forced landing on the Mumbles, near Swansea, August 18th, 1918, was deflated but the crew uninjured. In November, the SSZ 37 took part in towing tests behind a destroyer before being deflated in January 1919, and deleted in October of that year.